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Ken Smith sez: This film was produced by Pan Am to promote their jet clipper service from New York to London. The swelling strings and snooty narration were obviously designed to win over the first class transatlantic liner crowd. Never before (or since) has air travel been depicted so glamorously.
Pan American World Airways (sponsor) Aircraft (passenger) Travel Airline operations Tourism Aircraft (jet) Aircraft (Boeing 707) Aircraft (trans-Atlantic) Airports Airports (tarmac) Aircraft (cargo) Air mail Mail bags Fathers Sons Airplanes (watching) Airports (observation decks) Observation decks (airports) Passengers (aircraft) Aircraft (passengers boarding) Airports (terminals) Aircraft (passenger, interiors) Aircraft (pilots) Briefcases Charts Pilots (passenger aircraft) Aircraft (crews) Aircraft (cockpits) Aircraft (instruments) Instruments (aircraft) Aircraft (taxiing) Airports (runways) Flight Waving (people, at plane) Aircraft (takeoffs) Aircraft (in clouds) Air-to-air shots (Boeing 707 aircraft) Flight attendants Service Workers (airline) Magazines (reading, on airplane) Seats (aircraft) Roominess (passenger aircraft) Firsts (trans-Atlantic jet service) Vibration (absence of) Steadiness (aircraft) Stability (aircraft) Public address systems (aircraft) Meals (airline) Food service (on airlines) Workers (flight attendants) Food (airline) Eating (on airplanes) Families Families (nuclear) Games Chess Naps Sleeping Blankets (on airplanes) Flowers (on airplanes) Luxury Aircraft (descending) London, England (history and culture) Heathrow Airport, London, England Aerials (London, England) London, England (aerials) Thames River, London (aerials) Parliament, London (aerials) United Kingdom (history and culture) Aircraft (landing) Ceremonies Soldiers (United Kingdom) Guards, changing of the (London) Horses Swords Elizabeth II, Queen (salutes guards) Birthday ceremonies (Queen Elizabeth II) Paris, France (aerials) Paris, France (history and culture) Aerials (Paris, France) Eiffel Tower Notre Dame de Paris Seine River Rivers Pedestrians (Paris) Cities (Europe) Boulevards (Paris) Europe (cities) Rapid transit (Paris) Subways (Paris) Nightclubs (Paris) Entertainment Leisure Recreation Signs ("Folies Bergere") Signs ("Lido") Signs ("Moulin Rouge") Signs (burlesque) Dancing (burlesque) (signs) Champagne (pouring, closeup) Pouring (champagne) Alcohol Wines Liquors Beverages
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Reviews
Subject: Ahhh...The Good Ol' Days
The one thing missing in this portrayal is the air sickness bag and how to use it - which was more necessary in those days before turbulence was better understood and became more predictable. Many a lobster landed on someone's lap in those days...but at least you got lobster instead of a musty old bag of pretzels. Those drinkies were probably top shelf stuff, and gratis.
This enjoyable film confirms my suspicion that despite the all that technological advancement, humans are definitely in a state of reverse evolution.
5 stars and I'll probably watch it again sometime.
Subject: Flying above the weathuh in a Jet Clippuh!
As for the narrator, I don't think he sounds 'snooty' as alleged by the official review. I think, instead, he has a slight speech impediment much like Barbara Walters'.
Just like any other flight, except "no airplane was used"--sounds like about ten years later in San Francisco's Haight Ashbury and a few other places.
What, there's an entrance at the back, AND the FRONT? I'd never know it from any time I ever flew in that type of plane. Everyone always has to wait to enter or leave the plane by the one door that they use. But at least now we have wheeled luggage!
ETA 2012-01-12: Did you get that about how a letter mailed from London to New York might be delivered the next day? Now we don't even have next day delivery in-state.
Subject: Who was the narrator?
It was interesting to see how little pilots' announcments have changed. I was also intrigued by the strange jet-way arrangements on the Idelwild model and the fact that the planes are parked tail in.
Anyone notice the areas of bomb damage in the aerial views of central London?
Subject: I wish I had a powder room that nice in my house!
Subject: Well, I still like flying...
Both customers and airline employees are getting less from the industry now. But some airlines are realizing what is wrong. Hey, why else would JetBlue be one of the only profitable airlines? ;)
Subject: In 1985 , British Airways Tried To Live Up to 6 1/2 Hrs
Subject: New 6 1/2 Hour Video
Here is the link from my server.
Trying to get it on Prelinger, but dunno how.
http://1800publishing.com/airline/AirLineX1sm.wmv
Subject: BOSTONIAN VOICE-COACHED ACCENT? Ahh - NOT Arehh
I do remember my very first flight on AC in the mid 60's as a young boy returning home from London. Yes, we actually did dress up in our Sunday best! The Stewardesses (they were not called "flight attendants") were all beautiful and dressed in couture "Courreges" at the time.
The mixture of fresh jet fuel mingled with mink-shod ladies' perfume of the period, lemons and those neat little packets of chewing gum they handed you when you boarded (for altitude pressure changes!) I'll never forget my first in-flight meal - It was a perfectly proportioned, perfectly round bacon-wrapped filet mignon with all the trimmings. Each item fit exactly the dish it sat in, and the dishes in troughs on the tray... I mean cookie-cutter perfect. And almost 40 years later I still remember that dinner. AC didn't have a lounge like Pan Am, but judging by the video, I sure would like to have sampled something off of that trolley. Do I see a pot of Caviar in crushed ice there too?!
Anyone out there who did enjoy flying during that golden era and experienced the delights - consider yourselves equal to those of the latter "Concorde" class... That is exactly the same level of service that [was] afforded, albeit not quite as comfortable in the smaller cabin and seat size of the Concorde. This little vignette is quite the gem. I wonder if there is a record out there of the TWA Constellation? Another Classic and beautiful Jetliner.
Interesting to note: Why does the Pan Am 707 Jet Clippah' look so much more advanced and "futuristic" than that of our planes of today? More modern and streamlined than anything airborne in our new millenium. Have we taken that many steps back?
As the advertisements used to say: Getting there WAS half the fun...
Subject: The Jet Age rocks!
Go Pan Am!
Subject: Populuxe Air Travel!
Subject: And Now...The Jet Age!
The music throughout this film is truly classic. This movie made me want to rush right out and jump on board the next flight to London. Features of the "spacious cabin" jets are a big part of this film. I also enjoyed the scale model of the new Pan Am terminal at the New York Airport where passangers would move from terminal to jet under covered awnings. The passengers look overjoyed when the co-pilot announces that the jet's ground speed is now 658 miles per hour. In fact, by looking at these passengers, you would think that the flight to London is the high point of the trip.
The movie goes on to show some of the activities to be enjoyed while in England and Paris. "You have extra hours to do what you want to do in a leisurely way" the film reports.
5 stars all the way on this one.
Subject: 12 1/2 magic Minutes!
